Monday, November 07, 2016

Stealth is not needed for this prey - you swoop right in, tearing, clawing and ripping with both hands. So much so that you barely remember to click some hurried photographs right where you are. The LookFantastic Advent Calendar has turned me into a mad predator for the second year running.
Measuring a massive 1'5''x12''x 6'', the Holiday 2016 LookFantastic Advent Calendar, titled Beauty Secret Vol. 2, is a heavy white and rose-gold box packed with 26, not 25, beauty products.
The 2015 LookFantastic Advent Calendar, reviewed here, measured 14''x11''x6'' in contrast. It was a white and yellow-gold box.
Because of last year's success, the 2016 LookFantastic Advent Calendar sold out on pre-order a full 24 hours BEFORE its scheduled launch date. I had posted spoilers here.
No way can I wait until advent. The box arrived; it was unboxed within minutes, as I hinted.

WARNING: Do NOT scroll down if you are avoiding spoilers. I have photos of everything below.

Scroll down for the contents and review of the LookFantastic Beauty Secret Vol. 2 Advent Calendar for Holiday 2016.

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The orange on the external box in the photo shows how ginormous this edition is. Let's talk about the packaging for a minute. This one is, as I said before, gargantuan. Rose gold. Stunningly pretty.

The Liberty Advent Calendar (Liberty dept store ships everything worldwide except for their advent calendar, of course) costs £150, and is even bigger. LookFantastic's version is half the price, and contains five full-sized products.

The contents of the LookFantastic Beauty Secret Advent Calendar for 2016:

Pixi Glow Tonic 15ml

Moroccanoil Treatment 25ml

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask 50ml

Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Magic Touch Body Cream 70ml

This Works Sleep Plus Pillow Spray 5ml

Codage Paris Micro-Peeling Mask 15ml

Redken One United Multi-Benefit Treatment 30ml

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream 7ml

FOREO Luna Play (full size)

FOREO Day Cleanser 15ml

Molton Brown Pink Pepperpod Body Wash 100ml

Wella OR Oil Reflections Shampoo 50ml

Ojon Damage Reverse Hair Serum 15ml

Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Moisturiser 30ml

REN Revitalising Night Cream 15ml

Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths (10)

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 13g

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse 10ml

Look Good Feel Better Eye Shading Brush (full size)

Bellapierre Gel Eyeliner Ebony 1.5g

Nudestix Lip & Cheek Pencil and sharpener (full size)

Pur Minerals Impact+ Mascara 3.4g

Illamasqua Eye Shadow Palette (full size)

Ardell Wispies lashes (full size)

Monuskin BB Cream Illuminating Primer spf15 25ml

Inika Loose Mineral Blush 3g

Comparison of LookFantastic Advent Calendars 2015 and 2016

Last year, the crowning glory - forgive the pun - was a Tangle Teezer behind the 25th window.

This year, it is an exclusive Illamasqua eyeshadow palette made for this advent calendar alone.

Last year, there were seven makeup, five hair care, four bath &body, four mask/cleansing, and five skincare products.

This year, there are eight makeup products, four skincare, five hair care, four mask and five bath & body products.

Last year's edition measured 14''x11''x6''.

This year's is bigger, at 1'5''x12''x6''.

Last year's drugstore brands included Rimmel and Lord & Berry.

This year, they have Bellapierre and Look Good Feel Better.

There are 26 products this year, because the Foreo Luna Play comes with a cleanser.

Last year's Advent Calendar sold out within two weeks of its launch - there was no pre-order.

This year, there was a pre-order (you could make bookings, but shipping and money deduction would come later), with the launch date being November 1. The calendar sold out a full 24 hours BEFORE November 1.

In both years, they've included a Moroccanoil, a Christophe Robin Prickly Pear masque, a 100ml Molton Brown shower gel (fragrance has varied), and a Nudestix Lip and Cheek Pencil (shade varied).

Now, here's a photograph of LAST YEAR's LookFantastic Advent Calendar (click here for full review):

And here's the 2016 edition.

I know you wanted a closer look at that beautiful Illamasqua palette;
I'll do a separate review since those eyeshadows deserve separate
attention.

Here's all the makeup:

All the bath and body:

All the hair care:

All the cleansing products:

All the face care:

Verdict

LookFantastic has not only stayed consistent; they've actually gone and IMPROVED on last year's advent calendar. More full-sizes. An even more awesome selection of products. More makeup. Even better brands.
The Foreo Luna Play costs £29, while the Illamasqua exclusive palette is £35. Now the calendar is £70 and contains 26 products. Money well spent, innit?
There aren't that many repeats from the LookFantastic beauty boxes - Christophe Robin's Prickly Pear hair mask has put in a previous appearance; but I want to repurchase it and costs are prohibitive, so you can send me these in every box. You also get the LGFB makeup brushes turning up once in a while now.
This advent calendar is, as I said, sold out, but here is a selection of currently-available beauty advent calendars that ship worldwide. Of these, I highly recommend the FeeluniqueMagic of Beauty Advent Calendar because of the brands and the price point of £30.
The LookFantastic Beauty Box (ships worldwide) also makes the perfect year-long beauty treat and is priced at £11.25 (£15 for just the one month).
The 2017 LookFantastic Advent Calendar is available on pre-order here; I've just ordered mine.
For other fun makeup posts this week, go here.

About Renu X

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